Newly Ordained Catholic Priests, Deacons in Angola Urged to Live “consecration with depth, truth”

“Fidelity begins in the silence of prayer, in listening to the Word, and in concrete service to the people. Perseverance is the fruit of intimacy with God and awareness of mission. Your response to God’s call must be total, free, and joyful, lived in communion with the Church and sustained by grace,” he said.

Diaconate, he went on to explain, “is service—at the altar, in the Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, in visiting the sick, and in charity.”

“The Priesthood is a celebration of the Eucharist, hearing confessions, preaching the Word, and pastoral care of the people,” he further said, and continued, “Ordination configures you to Christ, the Eternal High Priest. Let Christ live in you, for He is the center of your ministry and the meaning of your consecration.”

Addressing the Deacons-elect, Bishop António told them that the Diaconate is not merely a transitional step but a ministry in its own right. 

“You are taking on a life commitment. Serve with humility, dedication, and love. Visit the sick, help the poor, and prepare the altar with reverence. The Diaconate is a service to the Church and the people,” he said, and urged them to be close to the suffering with the heart of Christ.

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To the Priests-elect, Bishop António called for maturity. He told them, “God has chosen you for His people. The Church entrusts you with the Eucharist, reconciliation, the Word, and pastoral leadership. Do not be mere functionaries. Be spiritual fathers, men of listening and mercy, disciples passionate for Jesus.”

He urged them to cultivate a strong spiritual life to sustain their mission, saying, “Be men of prayer. Celebrate each Mass as if it were your first. Listen to the people with patience, advise with wisdom, and forgive with compassion. Do not be Priests of appearances, but Priests of substance.”

In his homily, Bishop António encouraged the Priests-elect to live in communion with the people of God under their pastoral care and the Diocesan Bishop wherever they are sent.

He invited the people of God to pray continuously for the new ministers. 

“Brothers and sisters, pray for these your brothers who today have said yes to God. May they be faithful, persevering, and holy. May Our Lady of Providence accompany them, and may St. John Calabria inspire them in love, service, and humility,” Bishop António implored.

He told those he was about the ordain on September 13, “May your ‘yes’ be the joy of the Church.”

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.